AgrAbility for Africa

Findings by different partners indicate that there are gaps in the social protection systems across parts of Africa that hinder assistive technology access and vocational rehabilitation services extension to rural farming communities. In January, these issues were brought to the attention of various officials in the government of Uganda following the revelations of the grim state of affairs. AgrAbility for Africa staff were invited to two ministries in Uganda: the Ministry of Gender and Social Development and the Ministry of Health to establish a working arrangement meant to expand reach of health services and technologies to people faced with disabilities.

Currently, there is ongoing engagement to formalize the working relationship and explore ways of developing the local AT technology industry. The aim is to meet local assistive technology needs, to coordinate or conduct research consistent with that program, to formulate and implement a comprehensive assistive technology skills development program, and, in the future, to inform the general public on innovation in low cost AT technologies from different parts of the world and other information critical to growing and sustaining the assistive technology industry.

On January 28, AgrAbility for Africa staff joined the Disability Innovation Hub in a webinar on emerging areas of disability innovation for the purpose of developing more knowledge and expertise in the industry. This was geared towards the facilitation and replication of best practices that promote the social engagement of people faced with disabilities. Specific presentations were tailored to address and respond to different rural disability health needs in order to vastly reduce barriers to social inclusion and independent living.

Submitted by Mutumba Faisal